Katy McKenna Raymond  
Personal blog of christian writer Katy McKenna Raymond in Kansas City, Missouri

Personal blog of christian
writer & fallible mom
Katy McKenna Raymond
in Kansas City, Missouri


Katy is represented by
Greg Johnson at
WordServe Literary

Read more Katy at
LateBoomer.net

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Michael Snyder Is WAY More Than Michael Number Five Of The Michaels Who Comment Here!

I’m betting a few of you know about debut fiction author Michael Snyder and his wonderful novel, My Name Is Russell Fink.

Let me say, first of all, that when I met Mike at an American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Nashville a couple of years ago, I was instantly smitten. Not in a weird-crush kind of way, but in an excited-to-see-what’s-gonna-happen-with-him kind of way. Mike has one of my all-time favorite personalities: a well-proportioned mix of LOL funny, self-deprecating, humble, and audacious. He says and writes stuff no one else could get away with, and does it with aplomb.

And maybe even a plum, I don’t know. Of all the things we discussed, we managed not to get into fruits.

There’s something else you should know, too. I asked Mike about a month ago if he would like to appear here on fallible, after his book hit the market and I’d had a chance to read it. He agreed. By then, I’d gotten an agent, and had a March 1 deadline by which I needed to have my finished manuscipt in her hands.

“I won’t even be able to read Russell Fink until after my deadline,” I said, hoping that wasn’t too late for him in terms of getting the good word out about his book on a timely basis.

“That’s great,” he said. “Anytime will be fine.”

Then, as you know, my mother became critically ill, which meant I needed a bit longer to finish my work. So Michael waited, but as it turns out, he had a terrible turn of events happening in his life, too. On February 16, his 47-year old brother died completely unexpectedly. I did not know this until Mike and I reconnected this morning.

Some of my interview questions actually refer to the death-of-a-sibling thread that runs through his novel, since I have also had a brother die and have been deeply affected by it my whole life long. As you read our interview, please know that I asked the questions without knowing about Mike’s brother, and he answered them with grace, compassion, and his trademark wit.

Katy: I am not a fan of discussion questions in the backs of novels. Reading them only makes me want to discuss how awful they are. But your discussion questions ALONE are worth the price of the book. Here is your own Discussion Question Number Two. Please answer it for us: “If someone told you to quit your current job to do something you really love (like Dr. K. advises Russell in your book), would you do it? What if the thing you really love to do is to scam people in the name of God?”

Mike: I guess one could argue that my job as a novelist for a Christian publisher really is to scam people in the name of God, right? I mean, I’m trying to get people to believe a made-up story.

Katy: Just so you know, I totally believed it. But I’m easy that way….

Mike: As hokey as it sounds, my ideal job would involve helping people, encouraging people, and writing. So really, between my day job as a manufacturer’s rep and my other job as a novelist, I get to scratch all those itches with some regularity. I do try to avoid scratching in public though.

Katy: I’ll go ahead and admit that I don’t know what kind of products you sell. But I do know this: in Russell Fink, you helped and encouraged me through your writing alone. Seriously, the whole time I was laughing, I was applying the story’s truths to my own life and heart. So if you were only selling books, I’d be a happy customer.

Mike: To actually answer the question however, I’m mostly content—or at least as content as we humans can be on this side of eternity. I’m an unrelenting realist, so it’s hard to imagine that the vocational grass is greener anywhere else. Although I did read a story just today about this company that sells these very cool handmade shoes, then uses one hundred percent of the profits to pay for heart surgeries for kids in Iraq. That’s a pretty darn good example of missional living.

Katy: Speaking of a man on a mission, Russell Fink seems to be on a mission of perpetuating his funky case of survivor’s guilt. He is a fully adult man who believes he “gave” his twin sister cancer when they were kids. I share this trait with Russell. Not the giving my twin sister cancer trait, but the survivor’s guilt trait. My older brother died when we were little, and I swear I’ve felt guilty about it every day of my bloomin’ life.

Mike: If I had to pick one thing that defines Russell’s odd batch of neuroses, it would be this belief about “killing” his sister. You could call this misguided belief a crutch, a shield, or even a security blanket.

Katy: In Russell’s mind, maybe if he takes the blame, it keeps him from blaming others—like his father or God. No matter, it stops him from moving forward.

Mike: We all have something (or someplace or someone) we’d rather plug our umbilical cords into. But if a Snickers candy bar merely satisfies, God satiates. He quenches, fulfills, forgives, loves, embraces, and even tickles us. We just forget—or refuse—to go there.

Katy: Russell does seem rather adept at avoiding God, huh?

Mike: In Russell’s case, as sad and painful as the death of his sister is, it’s still his favorite excuse. It’s way more convenient to convince himself he’s not worthy of anything better—work, art, relationships with girls, parents, or even Jesus—than to actually do and say (and eventually pray) the right things. Wow, that all sounds way more preachy than the actual novel, no?

Katy: That’s the beauty of Russell Fink—there’s no preaching! Russell’s father, who was a faith-healer at the time his own daughter died, also feels responsible for the family tragedy. He and Russell have been estranged for many years, and barely communicate on even a shallow level. But I nearly cried when Russell’s dad tells him, in a moment of seeing things clearly, that “When something bad happens, it’s not always someone’s fault.”

Mike: Man, I wish I could remember writing that. And I wish I were joking about not being able to remember.

Katy: Trust me, you wrote it. “When something bad happens, it’s not always someone’s fault.” This is a hard truth for both Russell and his father, and for me, too. How did you come up with it?

Mike: Forgive me while I stall around for a second with one of my pet theories…I’ve been accused of saying funny things from time to time.

Katy: I would think so.

Mike:  And I don’t deny it because I love to say or write things that make people laugh. However…I try to never claim credit for creating funny things. Rather, I think there all just sort of floating around out there in the ether waiting to be observed and articulated.

Katy: That said, you are quite the amazing observor and articulator.

Mike: Thank you, Katy! I really do prefer themes in literature that sort of happen organically. This little nugget from Russell’s dad, I think, may be one of those things. When that line was born, I’m pretty sure the muse had taken over and I was merely the resident typist.

Katy: That’s a job I’ve always wanted. Nice work if you can get it. 

Mike: But you’re right. It is a hard truth. One that I haven’t thought about in a while, which surprises me some because my brother passed away less than a month ago. That was a very bad thing. And frankly, the only one to “blame” would be God. And I’m pretty sure that’s a bad idea.

Katy: I am so sorry about your loss, Mike. It makes me wonder if, in real life, we don’t sometimes try to “protect” God from blame by taking guilt upon ourselves. Not the best plan, either. I am sure your brother would have loved My Name Is Russell Fink.

Mike: You wanna know a cool irony about my brother? His Name Is Russell Snyder.

Katy: I’ve gotta think he loved that your character shared his name. Now, another irony: You use several words in your text that I have also used in my first novel. For example: behemoth and confection. I believe you also have at least one use of the word plethora. Explain.

Mike: Okay, but you won’t like it…My agent and I negotiated a deal with the entire book industry, basically garnering exclusive rights to all three-syllable words in the English language. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to report that all three of the words you mentioned are on the list.

Katy: Are my precious two-syllable words still safe?

Mike: You owe me money, Katy. Isn’t that cool? (For me anyway…)

Katy: Hey, I bought two of your novels, buddy!

Mike: My cash register dings every time you write your last name! McKenna, McKenna, McKenna!

Katy: I’m feeling a bit nauseous, not to mention broke, but it could be psychosomatic. Which reminds me: Russell’s hypochondria is also typical of those suffering survivor’s guilt, I think. We pretty much believe we owe it to the world to be croaking on a timely basis. At one point, Russell says (after a girl offers him her phone number) that “the lead ball of fatalism pounds my insides, reminding me how little time I have left to live.” Are you reading my mind, or what?

Mike: Yes, I am! And I’m happy to report the plethora of three-syllable words pinballing around in there too! Writing a hypochondriac was fun. I just hope it wasn’t over the top or anything.

Katy: I found it quite realistic. But then, I would…

Mike: The thing with Russell’s moles is semi-autobiographical. I really did have a doctor say “Oops!” while filleting one of my pectorals (if you can call them that…they feel more like water balloons these days). It was one of the only times I yelled at someone in authority over me.

Katy: Really? You are obviously not a child of the ‘60s.

Mike: And it was the only time I ever yelled at a guy with a scalpel in his hand! I think my voice cracked and I yelled something brilliant like, “Don’t say ‘oops’!”

Katy: I am not quite to the end of My Name is Russell Fink. I’d really like to know if Russell gets the girl and if so, which one. He is weirdly wired and wonderful, and deserves true love. Will he find it?

Mike: I wish I could tell you but I can’t. It is interesting when people want to know about events that happen to Russell and his pals after The End. But I have to say, I really don’t know. In fact, I had this conversation with a fellow the other night. He was vamping along on one of the themes of Russell Fink when I noticed he was talking about Geri’s (the love interest, for those of you who have not yet read the book) health situation after the end of the written story. My friend’s foregone conclusion was different than the one in my head.

Katy: For the sake of your future interviews, Geri’s health is completely restored. Seriously, don’t you think?

Mike: I think that’s the beauty of writing and reading fiction. We read the same book, were both moved by it, but came away with totally different experiences and assumptions of “Life After Russell.” And that’s okay by me. I like fiction that asks more questions than it answers.

Katy: I agree, Mike. Keep ‘em asking and thinking and laughing and crying, just like you do with Russell Fink.

Mike: See? You’re like great fiction that way…some really good questions. Thanks for letting me play along!

Katy: Mike, thank you so much for sharing with my fallible readers!! We truly appreciate you joining us here.

And now, I am giving away a completely unlaughed over and unwept upon copy of My Name Is Russell Fink to one of the randomly chosen commenters on this post. I’ll probably wait 48 hours or so before choosing a winner. So get your comments in, and enjoy one of my very fave authors, Michael Snyder.

Posted by Katy on 03/12/08 at 08:35 PM
Fallible Comments...
  1. Does being first increase my chances? I'd love to read this, and I'm adding it to my Amazon wish list to buy if I don't win.
    Posted by Carrie K.  on  03/12/08  at  09:43 PM
  2. Great Interview! Congrats to Mike on the book!
    Posted by Suzan  on  03/12/08  at  10:20 PM
  3. Sounds like a fabulous book with some great truths and morals that I would love to read. It was a fantastic in-depth interview Katy!
    Posted by Kylie  on  03/13/08  at  10:21 AM
  4. I've wanted to read this book since I heard it was coming out! i met Michael a couple of years ago at the ACFW conference--just before he was contracted for this book. So put my name in the hat, Katy!
    Posted by D'Ann Mateer  on  03/13/08  at  12:00 PM
  5. these interviews are great! thanks for the preview of what sounds like a really cool book.
    Posted by joshua  on  03/13/08  at  01:02 PM
  6. Ooh. Pick me, pick me. I LOVE reading books written by people with interesting minds (this is why I read your blog, Katy). What's the latest on YOUR book?
    Posted by Anna Frederick  on  03/13/08  at  01:12 PM
  7. Your interview was priceless--makes me want to go out and buy the book. But I'd rather have you buy it and send it to me :). Count me in!
    Posted by Kelley  on  03/13/08  at  02:32 PM
  8. From one interviewer to another, nice job Katy. I can't wait to read this book.
    Posted by Kathryn Harris  on  03/13/08  at  03:32 PM
  9. I'm a lurker here, but I'm speaking up because this book sounds really interesting and I'd love to be included in the drawing for it. :)

    By the way, Katy, I don't really comment on blogs much, but I do want to say that I love your writing and have been reading here pretty frequently for over a year now. Thanks for all the laughs. :)
    Posted by Hannah  on  03/14/08  at  02:00 AM
  10. Wow, thank you all for the kind words. And Katy...thank you for all the words, the great questions, and for letting me rent some space here on your blog. Where do I send that check again?

    Seriously, thanks. This was a lot of fun for me.
    Posted by michael snyder  on  03/14/08  at  02:31 AM
  11. Have you picked a winner yet? If not, put me in the bidding! Sounds like a great book
    Posted by Nancy Wood  on  03/14/08  at  05:27 PM
  12. Great interview, made all the more great (a plethora of greatness even--a veritable behemoth) by the fact that the interviewer and interviewee are two of my favorite people.

    Love you both.
    Jeanne
    Posted by Jeanne Damoff  on  03/14/08  at  07:59 PM
  13. Interesting. I shall make note of that one for my to be read pile, which seems to grow larger by the day, and overshadows my to be written pile...something seems wrong with this picture...
    Posted by Cathy West  on  03/14/08  at  08:14 PM
  14. First of all, is Mike married and, if not, will you introduce us? Your interview brought tears to my eyes, actual tears. That isn't all that unusual, because I spend a lot of my spare time crying. Nevertheless ... As you know, I am struggling with what might turn out to be a novel based on what I perceive to be fact. One of the reasons I say "struggle," is because I struggle a lot with God in real life and in what I write. It's not the same type of "survivor's guilt" the two of you have in common - it's more like "surviving guilt." In my life, I go back and forth between blaming myself and blaming God for the way my life has turned out. Sometimes it's easier to blame God so I don't have to think about how badly I screwed up. Other times I blame God because He is, after all, omnipotent, and He could have intervened any time He wanted to, if He wanted to. But I digress. Anyway, I want the book. I need the book. Can I please have the book? And, as a side comment, I'm glad you and Doug are the only people who know who I am.
    Posted by alison  on  03/14/08  at  09:46 PM
  15. He's probably too young for me anyway.
    Posted by alison  on  03/14/08  at  09:48 PM
  16. Carrie K--If God is on your side, being first does increase your chances. Ha!

    Suzan--I promise it's unlike anything else you've read....which tickles me.

    Kylie--Thanks! I am adding your name to my list of K names for future characters. It's adorable!

    D'Ann--That's when I met Mike, too!! If I remember right, he was stunned with having landed Steve Laube as his agent....

    Joshua--I think this is a book a guy your age would find hilarious. Good luck!

    Anna--You are a fun girl!! Mike's mind is indeed FASCINATING. I'm still trying to figure him out, and enjoying the process.

    Kelley--I wish I could send one to everyone! Good luck on winning!

    Kathryn--Now I will come read your interviews!! It's been a while since I've done one, but I do so enjoy it. Some wonderful writers out there, deserving of attention....

    Hannah--Thank you for delurking!! Your comment is so sweet and appreciated. I hope to deliver a lot more entertainment your way! :)

    Michael Snyder--If you and your erstwhile agent Steve Laube will split the three-syllable words with me and my agent Rachelle Gardner, you can tear up the check. It's been my pleasure!!!!

    Nancy--I may hold off till Saturday morning, because the comments are still hot and heavy. Good luck!

    Jeanne--And we both love you!!! Are you back from the mission field, safe and sound? I want to read all about your trip....

    Cathy--Yes, I know what you mean!! You and I will definitely need to be shifting the balance in favor of WRITING, huh?? I'm still excited about you signing with Rachelle....

    Alison--I am sorry to report that Mike is indeed married and has four kiddos. BTW, I think a lot of us novelists who are targeting the Christian market "struggle." And so do our characters. The days of so-called Christian novels being populated by nearly-perfect characters seem long gone. "Real" Christians are not perfect, and fiction is reflecting the struggles that are common to believers and unbelievers alike. Your story may very well fit right in.....
    Posted by Katy  on  03/14/08  at  10:27 PM
    17. Page 1 of 1 pages
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